Apparatus for playing games



Jan. 7, 1936.

O. L. JEFFRIES APPARATUS FOR PLAYING GAMES vFiled May 1, 195s 3 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR. A Ore/7 L. Jeff/'165.

/BY @f5/'WN V W ATTORNEY Jan. 7, 1936. Q KJEFFRH-:s 2,026,682

APPRATUS FOR PLAYING GAMES Filed May 1, 1933 3 Sheets-Shea?l 2 IN V EN TOR. l Ore/7 L Jef/(H65.

/A/LW Y maj Mg/ ATTORNEYS.

Jan.7,1936. j o. JEFFmES 2,026,682

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING GAMES Filed May l, 1933 3 Slfleecs-Sheef'l 5 INVENToR. t Ore/7 Jef/$765,

my., W- A TTORNE S.

Patented Jan. 7, 1936 Unirse STATES APPARATUS 2,026,682 Fon PLAYING GAMES Gren L. Jeries, Columbus, Ohio, assignor of onehalf to L. J. Brown, Columbus, Ohio Application May 1, 1933, serial No. 668,725

18 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus forplaying games. It has to do, more particularly, with apparatus for playing games which are usually played with playing cards. However, my invention contemplates the playing of such `games with chips or disks having proper indicia thereon instead of playing the games with playing cards. t i

One of the undesirable features of playing cards is in the shuiiling and dealing of the cards. Unlessa person is very experienced in dealing and shuliling the oardsphe cannot shuiile and deal them properly and usually requires considerable time to do this, thereby delaying the i game. Shuiiling and dealing the cards is also very tiresome to most people unless they are experts at performing these operations.

There have been many machines devised in the past either to shuffle or deal playing cards or to do both of these operations but these machines have not proven very satisfactory and have not been commercially sucessful to any large extent. Playing cards arevery thin and flexible and for these reasons and other characteristics of the playing cards it has been very di'icult to devise a machine which can properly handle cards of this type. Due to the nature of playy ing cards, machines which have been devised for shuiiling and dealing the cards have necessarily been of a very complicated nature. These machines have usually embodied a Very complicated mechanism embodying a large number of small parts which will not withstand wear and which m may be readily distorted or otherwise injured 35 and consequently cause the machine to become inoperative. Bue to the complicated nature of these prior machines, they have been very expensive to manufacture `and to maintain so Y that they have not proven commercially practicable. Another disadvantage of these prior art machines lies in the fact that it takes considerable time for them to perform the operations of dealing and shuiiling the cards and during the A time that they are performing these operations 45 they make considerable noise which is distracting to the players. Another dis-advantage of most loi these prior art machines is the fact that they tear or otherwise injure the cards.

In playing various games with playing cards it is necessary for a person to continually hold his hand and hold it in such a manner that the other players. cannot see the cards which he holds. This also becomes very tiresome and in many cases it is impossible to hold a hand in 5@ such a manner that the other players kcannot see it. Still another disadvantage in playing cards is the fact that the cards are of Vsuch a type that they are hard to pick up and handle. Furthermore, since the cards are so light it is impossible to play Vwith them in a windy location. Also previously, it has been practically impossible to properly illuminate a card table in such a manner as to provide proper illumination for the cards held in the hand without glare.

As previously stated, with my apparatus I intend to employ chips or disks with the proper indicia thereon instead of using regular playing cards and I thereby overcome various disadvantages mentioned above.

One of the objects of my invention is to pro- Vide apparatus for playing the games normally played with cards but using chips or disks with the proper indicia thereon instead of the cards thereby overcoming many disadvantages heretofore connected with the playing of various 5 games when using the regular type of playing cards,

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for shuiiiing the disk or chips which are to be used in playing the various games and `for dealing these chips to a number of locations.

two chips or disks having the proper indicia y thereon and which are to be used for playing the bridge game and which will deal these chips to four locations on the table in such a manner that thirteen chips will be dealt to each of the said locations.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for dealing the chips or disks which are used in playing the games to each player in such a manner that the chips which are dealt to a certain player will not be visible to the other players.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated having means .associated therewith rfor holding the chips of each player in a position readily visible to the said player but normally not visible to the other players, such device being of such a type that it may be removed` and placed on top of the table in order that the other players may see the hand.

Another object or" my invention isto provide an apparatus of the type indicated having means associated therewith for holding the chips of each player, such means occupying a position where the chips can be seen by the said player but will not be visible to the other players and having means for properly illuminating the chips held by said holding means.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the type indicated wherein the chips or disks which are to be used in playing the games are shuiiied and dealt to each of the players in such a manner that it is impossible to predict the hand which any player will receive.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the type indicated wherein the disks or chips to be used in playing the various games will be shuffled and dealt in such a manner that it will be impossible to cheat in the shuiiling or dealing of the chips.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated which is very simple in structure, has a minimum number of parts and which will not readily become inoperative, said apparatus being inexpensive to manufacture and to maintain.

In its preferred form, my invention contemplates the provision of an apparatus which may be used in playing the games normally played with cards and wherein chips or disks are used in place of the playing cards. These chips o-r disks may be of any suitable size and material and preferably have the suit indicated thereon by the proper symbol, such as a heart, diamond, spade or club, and also having the number or letter applied thereto. With my apparatus, these chips are automatically shuilied and are dealt to each of the players in a Very eflicient manner.

The apparatus which I preferably use takes the form of a bridge table having mechanism for mixing up the chips or disks and then conveying them to the proper positions where the players are located. 'I'hese chips are conveyed to each players position in such manner that the other players cannot see them and thereby know the hand of the other player. In front of each player there is a chamber formed in the table and this chamber is adapted to receive a removable member which is adapted to receive and hold the players chips so that it will not be necessary for the player himself to hold them and'will leave both of his hands free. This member will be supported in such a manner that the player can readily see his own chips but they will not be visible to any of the other players. ber, however, is removable so that at the proper time it may be placed on the table by the player in order to let the other players see the hand. Means is provided in each of these chambers at v each players position for illuminating the chips which I preferably use for causing the chips to feed to the various locations around the table where the players are disposed.

Figure 4 is a view partly in section and taken substantially along line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail in perspective of the trigger mechanism which is used for releasing the chips to each player after they have been properly distributed.

Figure 6 is a detail in section showing how 5 the device' which is used for holding the chips may be reversed and used for closing up a chamber formed vat each players station.

Figure 7 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a portion of the mechanism used for distributing the chips.

Figure 8 is a detail of a device used for holding chips which have been used in the game and which are no longer needed, such device also being adapted to be used when a new game is to start for supporting the chips in such a manner that they will be gradually fed to the distributing mechanism.

Figure9 shows one type of chip which I may use.

Figure 10 is a plan view, partly broken away, of a modified form of my invention.

Figure l1 is a section taken substantially on line H-II of Figure 10.

With reference to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, I have shown my invention as being incorporated in a table l which embodies a housing member 2 of box-like construction which is supported by a plurality of leg members 3. These leg members 3 may be folding leg 30 members or may be entirely removable if desired. The entire structure may be made of wood, metal, or any suitable material, but is preferably made of wood, as shown. rIhe lower end of the box-like housing is closed by board member 4 in o'rder that none of the players may interfere with the chip distributing mechanism. The upper end of the box-like housing is closed by a removable board member 5 extending over the entire area thereof and serving as a board upon which the playing of the game may be carried on.

I have provided positions for four players at this table. At each position a chamber 6 is formed and this chamber extends inwardly from the side wall of the box-like housing 2. Each of these chambers may be normally closed at its upper end by a hinged door-member l which is mounted above each chamber 6 on the removable board 5. The outer side of the chamber 6 50 is closed by a removable section 8 of the side wall of the box-like housing. The section 8 is provided with a tongue 9 on its lower edge (Figure 6) which cooperates with a corresponding groove I0 formed in the outer edge of the bottom 5 bo'ard d of the box-like housing. The upper edge of this section 3 is provided with a tongue 9 which cooperates with a groove I0' formed in the under surface of the door member 1 adjacent the outer edge thereof. Thus, by lifting the door 'I slightly the section 8 may be properly positioned flush with the outer surface of the side wall of the box-like housing and when the door 'i is lowered into horizontal position the member 8 will be held in position. This member i5 8, as will be later explained, is also adapted to serve as a means for holding the chips and may cards instead of such cards. These chips can 'i5 ,be much more readily handled than playing cards 'and can, therefore, be shuffled or mixed more readilyand distributed to the various players in a much more efcient manner. The chips also do not possess many other undesirable characteristics possessed by playing` cards.

As shown in Figure 9, these chipsor fdisks are of circular form and may be of any suitable size desired. They are preferably made of some water-proof material so that they may be washed after they have become soiled from` usage, if desired. `I preferably provide fifty-two of these chips as in a deck of playing cards so that these chips may be used for playing the game normally l played with cards. These chips are provided with various symbols the same as those which are applied'to cards, namely, hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades. Thus, in Figure 9, I have shown a chip C with a spade S produced thereon. I also provide each chip with a letter or numeral as indicated by L in this figure. In other words, I provide 52 chips which will have the same distinguishing characteristics as those possessed by a-deck of cards. These Vchips preferablyare the same on both sides although, if desired, only one side may be provided with the proper indicia.`

I provide means for automatically mixing these chips and for feeding them to the location infront of each player. This mechanism is of such a type that the various players cannot see the chips which are dealt to the other players, and furthermore, it is impossible to predict what type of hand any of the players will receive. Furthermore, it will be impossible to cheat in any way during the shuffling or mixing of the chips and the distribution of the chipsto the various players.

This mechanism embodies a pair of substantially4 cylindrical hoppers II (Figure 3) which are adapted to receive the chips. This hopper I I is'shownbest in Figure 8 and substantially onehalf of it is cut away throughout the greater portion of its length as indicated at I2 so that the chips may be readily placed therein when the hopper is removed from the table and is lying on its side as indicated in Figure 8. These hop'- pers are removable from the table as will be later seen and are adapted to receive the chips after they are no longer needed in the game.

-Both the upper and lower ends of these hoppers are open. Each `of the hoppers is provided with a pair of supporting members I3 so that they may iend of the hopper is adapted to serve as a stop for preventing the hopper from extending down through the opening I4 an undesirable distance.

When these hoppers are mounted in the openings I4 they will be disposed4 directly above the mechanism which mixes the chips and distributes them to the various stations where the players are located. As shown in Figure 3, when the hoppersl are in position their lower ends will be substantially flush with the under surface of the top board 5. Directly `below the top board 5 and directly below `the openings I4 which are formed substantially at the center of the board '5, an annular plate I6 is disposed. This plate is spaced a slight distance from the lower surface of the top board 5 and this distance is sufficient to permit passage of chips between these two members aswill be later apparent.

The plate I6 is supported by a metal strap II to which it is suitably secured. The strap I'I and the plate I5 as shown in Figures 3 and 7, are spaced from each other by an upstanding boss I8 which is disposed in the center of the plate. This boss is of suflicient height to space the strap Il and the `plate I a sufficient distance apart to permit passage of chips which will be lying flat on the upper surface of the plate I6 to pass between these members without interference with either of them. 'Ihe outer ends of the strap II are rigidly connected in a suitable manner to the upper surface of an annular flange I9 formed on the upper end of a pan-like member 20. The flange I9 is adapted to cooperate with transversely extending supports 2U disposed in the box-like housing 2, as shown in Figure 3. These supports serve as means for mounting the pan-like structure 20 at a point centrally within the box-like housing 2. When the top board 5 is in position on the table it will rest on the upper surface of the flange I9 and this is permitted by providing a groove 2l in the under surface of the top board 5 for receiving the strap member Il.

The pan-like member 2U is annular in form and is comparatively deep and the wall thereof flares inwardly and downwardly as indicated at 22 in Figures 3 and '7. Then, the wall of the pan-like structure extends perpendicularly and downwardly for a short distance as indicated at 23. A bottom 24 is integrally joined to the side wall of this pan-like structure. It will be apparent that the plate I6 and the pan-like structure IS are rigidly mounted in such a manner that neither of these members will rotate.

Within the pan-like structure 2U, a drum-like member 25 is rotatably mounted. This `drumlike member is of considerably less diameter than the narrow lower portion of the pan-like structure so thatl a space 26 is formed between the outer periphery of the member 25 and the vertical wall 23 of the pan-like structure 20. The member 25 is keyed on the upper end of a shaft 21. This shaft 2'! has a point 28 on the upper end thereof which is adapted to t androtate in a bearing formed on the under surface of the plate I5. This shaft 2l extends down through an opening 29 in the bottom 24 of the pan-like structure and is adapted to freely rotate in such opening. A supporting member 3i] is bolted or otherwise secured to the lower end of the panlike structure 2t. The supporting structure 30 is a skeletonized structure embodying a plurality of vertical supports 35 of narrow width and a 34 is rotatably mounted in a bearing member 35 which is formed on one of the vertical supports 33 of the supporting structure 3).

It will be understood that by rotating the shaft 34, the shaft 2 and consequently, the drum-like member 25, will be rotated. This-shaft 34 prefd 75 erably extends to the location of one of the players as shown in Figures l and 2, and a crank 3'I is keyed on the outer end thereof. Thus, the player may rotate the shaft by turning the crank.

If desired, shafts might be extended from the drum rotating mechanism to each of the players positions so that each player may operate the mechanism which causes rotation of the drum member 25, and consequently, each player may deal the chips. Also, if desired, the shaft 34 could be rotated by a suitable motor instead of being rotated manually.

An L.shaped arm 38 is mounted on the upper end of the drum member 25. This L-shaped member is provided with a flat portion 39 which extends over the upper surface of the plate I6 and is adapted to lie in close contact therewith.

. This portion 39 is of such a thickness as to permit passage of this member between the top board 5 and the uppersurface of the plate I6 Without interference therewith. On the lower end of the drum member a plurality of pivoted ngers 40 are mounted. These fingers have curved outer ends and extend out a considerable distance from 25 the outer surface of the drum member 25 almost into contact with thevertical portion 23 of the walls of the pan-like structure 20. These lingers are yieldingly held in the position shown in Figure 7 of the drawings by spring members 4I.

Several of these finger members 46 are disposed in spaced relation around the circumference of the drum member 25. They extend substantially across the space 26 between the outer surface of the drum member and the wall 23 of the panlike structure 26.

The bottom 24 of the pan-like structure 20, is provided with four slots 42 disposed in spaced relation around the outer portion thereof and directly below the space 26. Each of these slots is of suicient dimensions to permit a chip which is disposed vertically in the space 26 to drop therethrough as will be later seen. Each slot is of a size that will permit only a single chip to drop therethrough at a time. Directly above each slot 42l and disposed on the wall of the pan-like structure 20 at a point at the upper end of the vertical portion 23 thereof, is disposed a spring member 43. As shown in Figure 7, these spring members have outwardly extending portions 44'. These spring members are adapted to serve to direct the chips into the slots 42 as will be later seen.

With reference to Figure 3, it will be apparent that if the hoppers II are disposed in the position illustrated with chips therein, the lowermost chips will rest on the upper surface of the plate I6. If the shaft 34 is then rotated, rotation of drum 25 will be produced and consequently, the arm 38 will rotate therewith. This arm 38 will move over the upper surface of the plate I6 and will wipe off the lowermost chip and throw it o-i of the plate I6 with considerable force causing it to contact with the flared wall of the pan-like member 20. Assoon as one chip is deflected off 55 of the plate I6, the entire column of chips in each hopper will move down until the lowermost chip again contacts with the upper surface of the plate I6. By continually rotating the drum 25 the arm 39 will deflect the lowermost chip of the 70 column of each hopper oli of the plate I6 and cause them to contact with considerable force with the liared wall of the pan-like structure 26. Thus, the chips from each hopper will gradually feed down onto the plate I6 and will be wiped 75 therefrom by the arm 39.

When the chips contact with the ared wall of the pan-like structure, they will be deiiected downwardly and inwardly until they occupy a vertical position in the space 26 at the lower end of the pan-like structure. 'I'he drum-like mem- 5 ber 25 will be continually rotating and the fingers 40 will cause the chips in the space 26 to travel around with the drum member until they enter the slots 42. The spring members 43 will tend to direct the chips into the slots 42. It will be 10 understood that the drum member 25 will rotate at a considerable rate of speed and that several chips may be in the space 26 at the same time. These chips will therefore be carried around in the annular space 26 by the fingers 4I). A chip 15 may enter the rst slot 42 over which it passes or it may be carried around in the space 26 several times before it enters one of the slots 42. Thus, there will be several chips moving around in the space 26 and they will become mixed or 20 shuflied and it will be impossible to determine Which slot 42 any chip will finally enter. There may be three or four chips entering one of the slots 42 while during the same interval none of the chips may enter one of the other slots 42. 25 'Ihis makes it impossible to determine in advance just how the chips will be distributed. However,

I have found that it only takes a short time for distributing all of these chips in this manner. The ngers 40 being resiliently held in the po- 30 sition shown in the drawings may yield to prevent jamming of a chip between the end of the fingers and the wall 23 of the pan-like structure.

Directly below each slot 42 the upper end of a channel or trough-like member 44 is disposed. 35 These channel members are adapted to receive the chips which are discharged through the slots 42 in the bottom of thev pan-like structure 26. Each of the trough-like structures 44 extends from the center of the table to each of the play- 40 ers positions. These channels are trough-like structures are preferably made of metal and are of such a type as to "permit the disk or chips to roll therealong and without falling therefrom. The channels 44 are downwardly inclined from 45 the center of the table to the outer portion thereof so that the chips will roll to each players position by gravity.A The channel members 44 are curved throughout the greater portion of their length and extend into the chamber 6 at 50 each players position. 'Ihe portion of the channel member 44 which extends into each of the chambers 6 is straight and is horizontally disposed as indicated at 45.

When the drum member 25 is rotated the chips 55 feed into the slots 42 as previously described. When they dropI through the slots they will pass into the channel members 44 and will roll downwardly therethrough towards each players position. However, before they reach the player 60 or before they pass into the portions 45 of the channel disposed in the chamber 6, they will be stopped by a trigger mechanism 46 disposed di rectly outside of the chamber 6 and at one side thereof. This trigger mechanism is shown most clearly in Figure 5. It embodies a small bell. crank lever 4l which is pivoted at 48. An arm is formed on this bell crank lever which has a portion 48 projecting over the lower end of the channel 44 The other arm of this bell crank lever is pivotally connected to a link 49 which is in turn pivotally connected to a ring member 56 as indicated at 5I. This ring member 50 is rotatably supported in eyelet members 52 which 75 are secured'to the rear surface of `the rear walls ofeach of the chambers 6. As shown particularly in Figure 2, the `ring structure ilis connected to all of the trigger mechanismsdisposed at thelower ends ofthe channels 44 by means of link members 49. By rotating the ring 5Elthe trigger mechanism may be caused to project over channels 44 or may: be moved` from over such channel in a manner which will be readily understood. This ring member may be operated by a rod` 53 which may be pushed and pulled back and forth to rotate thering 5i) in either direc tion. This rod 5?r extends to a position where it may be operated by one of the players. If desired, one of these rods maybe provided at each players position so that any of the players may operate the trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism may also be of such a type as to release af single chip at a time from any of the members 44.

When it is desired to use this device for playing games normally played with a deck-.of vcards having fty-two cards therein, fifty-two chips are provided as previously explained. All of the chips are disposed in hoppers H and the mechanism is operated to feed the chips to the various channel members 44as previously described. These channel members are of such a length and the chips are of such a diameter that the channel members will only receive thirteen of these chips. In other words, the distance between the trigger 46 at the lower end of each channel member and the upper end thereof where it is connected to the pan member 25 directly below a slot 42, is such that` only thirteen chips can occupy this space; Thus, whenthe drum V25 is rotated the chips will feed into the variouschannel members and as previously stated, several chips may ,feed into one channel member while only one chip may feed into another channel member. However, as soon as one channel member has thirteen chips therein the uppermost chip in the channel member will occupy afposition where it will project up into the respective slot 42 provided at the upper end thereof and' will not permit any more chips to feed in this particular channel member. Thereafter, the chips will only feed in the other channel members. In this manner, thirteen chips will be fed into each of the channel4 members 44. If it is desired to play some other game where 52 chips are not used but a different number is used, means may be provided for adjusting the trigger mechanism 46 along the channel members to vary the numberV of chips which each channel member mayA hold.

When all of the chips have been distributed to the various channel members 'as describedy the ring member 54 may be rotated by means Aof the rod 53 to cause the trigger mechanisms 4t to release the chips in the various channels 44A tothe various players. These chips will then roll downinto the horizontal portions 45'of the chanisdesired :to play agame with my device the door 'l at. each position is lifted and the section 8 is removed. "Ihen, it is reversed and disposed in theI position` illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 with the lower edge thereof resting against the inner surface` of the horizontal'portion 45 of the channel member 44 and the upper portion thereof resting against the upper end of the rear wall 8' of the chamber 6. With the section' 8 supported in this manner, a plurality of channel members 54 are disposed on the face of this member at spaced intervals and these channel members extend horizontally of the member 8. These channel members 54 are adapted to receive the lower edgesof the chip members. I preferably provide a sufficient number of these channels 54 so that one line may be provided for each'suit of chips. These channels 54 are so spaced that when a chip is in position in the lower channel the upper edge of the chip will rest against the outer surface of the channel thereabove so that the chips may be readily removed from this device. It will be apparent that the entire section 8 with the chips held therein may beremoved and placed on top of the table so that if a bridge game is being played the dummy hand can be seen by the other players.

lt will be apparent that when the trigger mechanism releases the chips so they pass down into the portion 45 of the channel, each of the players may remove their chips therefrom and place themin the holding means formed on the member 8. During the distribution ofthe chips the other players cannot see what type of a hand is being dealt to any player. The door 1 may be either disposed in closed position or open position as desired. The chip holding means will be so disposed that each player may readily see his own hand but will not be able to see the hands of the other players. Because of this chip holding device, the player will not be required to hold his chips but they may be readily removed from this` device at any time. As previously stated, the chip holding device will be disposed in a readily visible position to the proper player and a light member 55 may be provided on one wall of the chamber 5 for properly illuminating this chamber. Because of the fact that these chip holding devices are disposed in the chamber 6 the chips ofeach players hand may be adequately and elfectively illuminated without glare.

In the operation of my device, assuming that it is desired to play a game of bridge, a deck of these chips identical with a deck of cards,v

except of course as to shape, and constituting fifty-two chips, is used. These chips are placed in hoppers il and they need not be mixed up before doing this. The hoppers Il are then mounted in the opening I4 at the center of the table, the closure members I5 thereof having been previously swung open. As previously stated,` the lowermost chip of each column will rest on the upper surface of the plate I6. Then the shaft 34 `is rotated to cause the chips to feed into the various slots 42 as previously described. Several of these chips may bedisposed in the pan-like member 2! at the same time and may be revolved around inthe member v2i! several times before entering the slots 42. It will be impossible to predetermine which slot any chip will enter. and thus, it will be impossible to determine what type of a hand any player will be dealt. In other words, the chips will be. shuflled or mixed thoroughly and will be distributed to each ofthe players. If one channel 44 becomes lledbefore the others, no more chips will enter therein as previously described. After all of the channels 44 have been filled the chips of the decky will-be exhausted. When the chan- 25 if I is keyedon the inner end of a shaft 63.

nels 44 have all been filled one of the players may operate the trigger mechanism to cause the chips to be released to each of the players. Then each of the players may pick up his chips and place -j. them inthe chip holding device formed on the member 8.

'I'he hopper members l i are then removed and the closure members I5 are closed. The hopper members are placed on the table in a position similar to that which the one in Figure 8 occupies and each set of partners may have one ofV these devices for holding their chips. kThe person who has the dummy hand removes his chip holding device formed on the member VB'and places it on'top of the table where the other players can see it. The other players will play from the chip holding devices which will be mounted in the chamber E. These chip holding devices will be so disposed that each player 'will be able to see his own hand but will not be able to see the hands of the other players. The playing operation may be conducted on top of the removable board 5. When the game is over the hoppers with the chips therein may again be positioned in the openings I and the mechanism operated to again distribute the chips to each of the players. Of course, other games than bridge can be played with my device.

In Figures 10 and 11, I have shown a modified form of apparatus made in accordance with my invention. This apparatus is Very compact and portable. It may merely be placed on a table or other supporting structure and then be used in playing the games. As shown in the drawings, this device comprises a box-like housing 55 embodying side Walls 56, a bottom 5l, and a removable top- 58.' An opening 59 is provided in the center of the top 58 and chips are adapted to be dropped through this opening onto thel distributing mechanism. It will be understood that with this device I preferably use chips of the type previously described.

This distributing mechanism for the chips Vembodies a large disk member 6U, which is slightly spaced below the top 58 of the housing. This disk is rotatably mounted in the housing and has a bevel gear 6i secured thereto. This bevel gear 6l meshes with a bevel gear 62 which The shaft 63 is rotatably supported in bearing members 64 and extends out through the side Wall of the housing. A crank 65 is keyed on the outer end of this shaft 63. Thus, the disk 6U may be rotated by rotating the crank 55.

Directly adjacent the edge of the disk and extending entirely around the circumference thereof yis a trough member t6. This trough member is supported by supports 6l which are connected to the side walls of the housing. The trough member 58 is just slightly greater in YWidth than the thickness of a chip in order to permit a single line of chips only to be supported in avertical position therein as illustrated in Figure 11. The trough B6 is divided into four independent sections by means of partition members 68 disposed at suitable locations. The edge of the disk 6B is outwardly beveled as at 69 and the upper portion of the inner wall of the trough member is also beveled as at 'i8 so that the chips will readily pass into the trough.

`a position is provided for a player.

provided with a door member'll which is hinged so that it may swing downwardly. Directly above this door member li, a hinged door member 'l2 is provided in the outer portion of the top 58 of the housing and this door member preferably swings upwardly. The closure member 'll is provided with channels 13 on the inner surface thereof so that when it is swung to its open position as indicated in Figure 10, the chips may be placed in such channel members. Thus, the door member 'Il serves to hold the chips in the same manner that the member 8 of the preferred form of my apparatus holds them.

In the operation of this device, the chips are all pushed into the opening 59 and will rest on the disk 50. The disk is then rotated and due to centrifugal force the chips will slide towards the outer edge of the disk and will nally fall into the trough 66. As previously stated, four independent sections Vare provided in the trough member so that one'section is provided for holding the chips of each player. It will be understood that if fifty-two chips are used each of the sections will be adapted to hold thirteen of these chips. During rotation of the disks, the chips will be gradually thrown into the trough member. When one section of the trough member becomes lled it will be impossible for any more chips to feed therein but they will feed into the sections not yet filled. Any chip which might rest on the beveled edge of the disk 60 and on the inclined upper edge 18 of the inner wall of the trough and cannot iall into the trough due to the fact that a chip is already in place therein, will be carried around by the disk until a point is reached in the trough where there are no chips and then it will fall therein. It will be impossible to determine which chips will go When the chips have been exhausted, and all of them are in the various sections of the trough member, each player may open the doors 'H and T2 and reach in and remove his chips from the section Vof the trough disposed in front of him. He can then place the chips in the holder formed on the door 13,

It will be understood from the above description that I have provided an apparatus for playing games having many desirable features. In the rst place, I can employ chips having the proper indicia thereon for playing the games normally played with playing cards or for playing various other games. The chips do not have the undesirable characteristics possessed by playing cards. For example, they can be much more readily handled than playing cards. They cannot be readily torn or injured as with playing cards. When they becomey soiled they can be Washed or cleaned which is not possible with cards. The chips can be used for playing the various games in windy places Where it would be impossible to play with cards. Furthermore, the chips will not Wear out like cards. the fact that I employ chips instead of cards, I have been able to produce a very simple. mechanism for shufliing or mixing the chips and distributing them to the various players. This mechanism is very simple in structure and has a very small number of parts, will not readily be- Due to comer inoperativey andi Will` not: be expensive tov manufacture. There will be practically nomaintenance cost. Sincel use chips theshufllingand dealing can be accomplished very quickly and therefore, the games can be playedrnore. quickly.

The-device is `veryeiectiye for shuffling` or, mix'- ing" the chips and; distributing them to; the various players and will dothis inavery'shorttime.

Another; advantageous feature oi; my invention j, is the fact that thezchipsaresdealt to; each playerini such: a manner that the;` players cannot, see what? type of hand sgbeing dealt toany-ofxthem. Furthermore, I have provided means for' supporting; the chips: ofi each playersi hand in such a 15s-manner that;the particular player may see his own,hand1butit Will vnot bey visible to.` theV other players. The playerfhimself will not be required to hold the` chips themselves and both of: his hands will be. free. This; overcomes 'one of the 2in great disadvantagesof; playing cards where it is' always-necessary-to hold thmcards and hold them irl-'sucha manner'that the other-players cannot see them whichA becomes veryu tiresome. Another advantageous feature of my; invention isthe fact,

aithat the chips are mixedl and dealt in such a manner vthat itis impossible to predict; the l hand which any player Will-receive. Many other advantages Will be readily apparent;

Having thus described my invention-, what' I' said meansA comprising trough-like members .piavvhich`- are disposed in such a manner that the chips therein cannot be seenby any of the'players, means associated with said; trough-like members for preventing; delivery of thefchips to the'players, and means1 for operating. said last- ,io'yrnamed means toperrnit delivery of the chips to the players.. l

3.. Apparatus for playing gameswith a number of,y chips havingproper indicia thereon, which comprises meansfor distributing-the chips to the difyarious players, and means disposed at each players, station for holding saidichips `insuch a mannerthatthey are readily visible to the player.

4'. Apparatus for-playing games With a number of, chips having proper indiciaf thereon,- which Gihcomprises meansfor distributing the chips to the various players, and means disposed at each players `station for,l holding chips in such a manner that they are readily visible to the proper player but are invisible to the other players.

(lo 5. Apparatus for playing games with a number of chips having proper indicia thereon, which comprises means for distributing the chips to the various players, and means disposed at each Y p-layers station Vfor holding said chips in such a To manner that they are visible to the player, and

means for illuminating said member.

` 6. Apparatus for playing games with a number of disk-like playing piecescomprising mechanism for distributing said pieces from a selected loca- 75 `tion to a plurality of stations Where the players ing mechanism, said distributing mechanism 5 comprising a pan-like structure, a plurality ofplaying pieces conducting members connected. tol said pan-like structure and leading to the various players stations, means for causing said pieces` to move around in said pan-like structure until 10 they enter said conducting members, said conducting members being of such a type that the said pieces will be caused to roll along said members by gravity to the players stations.

7. Apparatus forplaying games with a num` 15 ber of disk-like playing pieces comprising mechanism for distributing said pieces from a selected location to a plurality of stations Where the players are located, a hopper member dis.- posed at said selected location, means for causing said disk-like playing pieces to feed fromv said hopper member to the distributing mechanism, said distributing mechanism including a plurality of conducting members through which said playing pieces pass and which extend from said` selected location to the various players stations, said conducting members being inclined so that the playing pieces will be caused by gravitational force to roll through said conducting; members. i

8. Apparatus for playing games with anumber of disk-like playing pieces comprising mechanism for distributing said pieces from a selected location to a plurality of stations where the players are located, a hopper member dis` 35 posed at said selected location, means for caus` ing said disk-like playing pieces to feed from said hopper to said distributing mechanism, said distributing mechanism including a plurality of conducting members through which said Lplaying i0 desired; 5o.

9. Apparatus for playing games With a number of'playing pieces comprising mechanism for distributing said pieces from a ,selectedlocationV to a plurality of stations Where the players are located, said distributing mechanism including' 55'- a' plurality of conducting members into Whichf said pieces are fed and through which said playing pieces pass and Which Vextend from said selected location to the various playersA stations,

the playing pieces in each Yof said members being.' 69" invisible to all of the players and also being inaccessible'to all of the players, each of saidfmembers having a portion adjacent a players station Where the playing pieces Will be Visible to that particular player and will be accessible to him but Will be invisible and inaccessible to all of the other players.

10. Apparatus for playing games VWith a number of playing pieces comprising mechanism for distributing said pieces from a selected location to a plurality of stations Where the players are located, said distributing mechanism including a plurality of conducting members into which said pieces are fed and through which said playing pieces pass and which extend from said selected location to the various players stations, thev playing pieces in each of said members being invisible to all of the players and also being inaccessible to all of the players, each of said members having a portion adjacent a players station Where the playing pieces will beY visible to that particular player and will be accessible to him but will be invisible and inaccessible to allof the other players, and means for preventing said pieces Yfrom passing into said last named portion until desired 11. Apparatus for playing games with a number of. playing pieces comprising mechanism for distributing said pieces from a selected location to a plurality of stations Where the players are located, said distributing mechanism including Ya plurality of conducting members into Which said pieces are fed and through which said playing pieces pass and which extend from said selected location to the various players stations, the playing pieces in each of said members being invisible to all of the players and also being inaccessible to all of the players, each of said members having a portion adjacent a players station where theV playing pieces will be Visible to that particular player and Will be accessible to him but Vvvill be invisible and inaccessible to all of the other players, and means for preventing said pieces from passing into said last named portion of each of said members until desired, all

of said means being operable simultaneously from a selected point to release the pieces to all of said players.

12. Apparatus for playing games With a num- 'ber of playing pieces comprising mechanism for mixing said pieces and distributing them Vfrom a selected location to a plurality of stations Where the players are located, said distributing mechanism including a plurality of conducting members into which said pieces are fed and through Which said playing pieces pass and which extend from said selected location to the various players stations, said conducting members being of such a type that each of them will hold the same number of playing pieces as all the others.

k13. Apparatus for playing games With a plurality of playing pieces of disk-like formation, comprising means for mixing the playing pieces and distributing them to various players, said I means includinga disk-member on which the Ypieces are placed, means for rotating said disk wherein a plurality of disk-like playing pieces are used, a hopper member for holding said pieces, said member being of substantially cyv lindrical form and having its bottom end open, said member having a portion of its side Walls cut away substantially, throughout the greater portion of its height, and means on said member for supporting it on its side in such a manner that the cut away portion Will be uppermost and rolling of said member will be prevented. l0

l5. In game apparatus of the' type described wherein a plurality of disk-like playing pieces are used, a hopper member for holding said pieces, said member being of substantially cylindrical form and having its bottom end open, and means on said hopper member for support--r ing it when it is disposed on its side in such a manner as to prevent rolling thereof.

16. Apparatus for playing games comprising a substantially box-like housing, means for distributing a plurality of playing pieces to various players stations disposed around said housing, said housing having a flat upper surface upon which the playing pieces may be placed when playing a game, a pocket being formed at each of said players stations within said housing, each of said pockets being closed when the apparatus is not in use by a hinged door structure for closing the top thereof which will lie flush with the upper surface of the housing when closed and a member for closing the outer side thereof which will lie flush With the side of the box-like structure when in closing position, said last named member having means on its inner surface so that it may be used for holding said playing pieces When not used for closing said pocket.

17. Apparatus for playing gaines with a number of playing pieces comprising mechanism for distributing said pieces from a selected location to a plurality of stations where the players are located, said distributing mechanism including a plurality of members along which said playing pieces pass and which extend to the various players stations, said conducting members being inclined so that the playing pieces will be caused by gravitational force to pass therealong to the various players stations.

18. Apparatus for playing games with a number of disk-like playing pieces comprising mechanism for mixing said disk-like playing pieces and distributing them from a selected location to a plurality of stations Where the players are located, said distributing mechanism including a plurality of members into which said disk-like playing pieces are fed and which extend adjacent 56 to the various players stations, said members being of such a type that each of them will hold only a predetermined number of the disk-like playing pieces and all of the various members Will hold the same number of playing pieces. 60

OREN L. JEFFRIES. 

